What to Use After Dermaplaning (The Aftercare Routine That Works)

Holding a serum dropper bottle to the camera after dermaplaning
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The short answer

Right after dermaplaning, apply a hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate, follow with a gentle non-comedogenic moisturizer, and finish with a mineral SPF 30+, the single most important step. Avoid retinol, vitamin C, and AHA/BHA exfoliants for 48 hours while your skin barrier recovers.

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Freshly dermaplaned skin has no dead-cell layer, so it absorbs more and is more sun-sensitive. The right aftercare turns that into a glow instead of irritation. Here is the exact routine, in order.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum
Step one · Hydrate
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Multi-depth hydration for freshly exposed skin

~$18
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair moisturizer
Step two · Nourish
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair

Ceramide and niacinamide barrier repair, fragrance-free

~$25
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Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
Step two · Sensitive-skin alternative
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

Ceramides and hyaluronic acid, formulated without common irritants

~$13
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EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 mineral sunscreen
Step three · Protect
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46

Zinc oxide mineral protection, the single most important step

~$47
Shop EltaMD

What to avoid for 48 hours

Skip retinol, vitamin C, and AHA/BHA exfoliants. Layering strong actives on freshly exfoliated skin is a fast track to irritation. Resume your normal routine after two days.

How long is skin sensitive after dermaplaning?

Usually 24 to 48 hours. Keep it hydrated and protected, and be extra diligent with sunscreen during that window.

Before you dermaplane again

Review technique in how to dermaplane at home, avoid the common mistakes, and if you are upgrading tools, see the best at-home dermaplaning tools for 2026.

My recommended tool: the Michael Todd Sonicsmooth is the at-home dermaplaning tool I personally use and rate 4.7 out of 5. Read the full review.

Shop the Sonicsmooth

Also looking at hair removal? Dermaplaning clears peach fuzz for a week or two. For hair that keeps coming back on legs, underarms or the bikini line, at-home IPL is the next step up, and the one to look at is the Nood Flasher Pro, the only at-home IPL device with an energy figure in a public FDA file.

Start with the full IPL comparison, or go straight to Nood vs Ulike Air 10, Nood vs Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 and Nood vs Philips Lumea 9000.

Frequently asked

What serum should you use after dermaplaning?

A hyaluronic acid serum is the top pick. It hydrates newly exposed skin without irritation.

Can you use retinol or vitamin C after dermaplaning?

Wait 48 hours. Applying strong actives right after can irritate the freshly exfoliated barrier.

Do you need sunscreen after dermaplaning?

Yes. A mineral SPF 30+ is the most important aftercare step because skin is more sun-sensitive.

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